The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica. Thursday, 18 November 2021— Newly inducted Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The University of the West Indies at Cave Hill, Professor Clive Landis has pledged to draw on The UWI’s strategic vision of driving Caribbean development to position the Cave Hill Campus as a pillar of innovation in Barbados.
He outlined these plans during his inaugural address, at the ceremony for his induction as the sixth Principal of the Cave Hill Campus on Saturday, November 13, 2021. “In my vision for the Cave Hill Campus, I intend to tap into this burning fire to serve the region, to open new avenues, through which staff and students can find meaning and fulfilment through service in the community,” Professor Landis stated.
The prolific scientific researcher, who has served The UWI for almost two decades, including in varying administrative positions, signalled a willingness to work in partnership for the advancement of the Campus. He indicated his readiness to engage the Government of Barbados and the private sector for the development of innovation systems to help transform the instinctive creativity of Caribbean people from the spark of an idea to a commercially viable product.
Professor Landis said the diversity of expertise at each UWI campus had bolstered the resilience of the institution during the pandemic, thereby allowing the continuous delivery of service to students, while providing a regional research platform to support policymakers for evidence-based decisions.
On the issue of community outreach, he said there would be an increase in the years ahead as he lauded the highly successful “Seek and Save” initiative that involved over 400 students collaborating with the Ministry of Health to visit Barbadian households in a bid to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Principal announced a UWI Cave Hill Africa Health Strategy to take advantage of growth opportunities for South-South collaboration with the African continent in areas of medical education, health economics, health disparities research and ethical biobanking. He noted that Cave Hill’s intellectual property assets in health education and research services were ideally placed for trade with partner institutions to garner health benefits for peoples of the African diaspora.
Saturday’ Induction Ceremony which had a scaled back in-person attendance because of COVID-19 public health restrictions, nonetheless exhibited the usual pomp and circumstance associated with the occasion. During the two-hour event, the Principal was praised for his wealth of experience, visionary leadership, extensive research, and principled stance.
Among the more than two dozen people who paid tribute were fellow principals of the other four UWI Campuses, representatives of national and regional agencies, UWI staff as well as current and former students.
In his speech delivered after the traditional robing of the new Principal, Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles said Professor Landis has not only demonstrated intellect but integrity of purpose and citizenship within The UWI.
“We are proud of his record of achievement and commitment. We respect him, we admire him, and we salute him on this day. He is a man of the moment, there is no doubt. He possesses all the relevant skillsets to lead this distinguished Campus. Not only is he competent, but his consciousness will enable his dramatic impact upon the leadership of the Campus and this University. I am confident that Cave Hill will continue to thrive under his leadership because we know of his judgment, we know of his temperament and, critically, we are comforted by his impulse for social justice.”
Speaking on behalf of the Government of Barbados, Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, the Honourable Santia Bradshaw expressed hope that the new Principal would continue the Campus’ focus on training, innovation, and entrepreneurship necessary for post-COVID recovery in the region. She said the government remains committed to supporting the investment in higher education despite competition for scarce financial resources.
“Linkages formed between The University of the West Indies and the Government of Barbados have not only significantly advanced the island’s educational development, but also the economic and social well-being of Barbados,” she added.
END
- Induction_1 - Principal, Professor Clive Landis looks on as Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles addresses the audience. Seated is Pro Vice-Chancellor for Undergraduate Studies, Professor Justin Robinson.
- Induction_2 - Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles robes newly inducted Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Clive Landis. Looking on is Pro Vice-Chancellor for Undergraduate Studies, Professor Justin Robinson.
- Induction_3 - Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles caps newly inducted Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Clive Landis
- Induction_4 - Principal, Professor Clive Landis delivers his inaugural address.
Higher resolution photos are accessible for download via https://flic.kr/s/
About The University of the West Indies
The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region.
From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with near 50,000 students and five Campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Open Campus, and 10 global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.
The UWI offers over 800 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and wider world.
The UWI has been consistently ranked among the top universities globally by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). In the latest World University Rankings 2022, released in September 2021, The UWI moved up an impressive 94 places from last year. In the current global field of some 30,000 universities and elite research institutes, The UWI stands among the top 1.5%.
The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists since its debut in the rankings in 2018. In addition to its leading position in the Caribbean, it is also in the top 20 for Latin America and the Caribbean and the top 100 global Golden Age universities (between 50 and 80 years old). The UWI is also featured among the leading universities on THE’s Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Wellbeing; Gender Equality and Climate Action.
For more, visit www.uwi.edu.
